Does anyone here know why Marv Johnson's records were released on United Artists after Tamla & Motown were distributed nationally in the USA? And were his UA records recorded in the Motown studios? His first Gordy single was released 1965.

When "Come To Me" started to break out nationally, Tamla didn't have the resources to carry a major hit, so the track was licensed to United Artists, and Marv was signed to the label. His subesquent records were released through United Artists until the expiry of his contract, when he returned to Hitsville. Most of his UA records were cut in New York.

So Marv did have a contract with UA for a longer period of time than Eddie Holland? Or did Berry Gordy believe more in Eddie Holland as a singer than Marv? I have red somewhere that Marv was a bit dissapointed with the arrangements regarding his contract and relationship with Berry Gordy.

I believe what happened was that when UA heard "Come To Me" they signed Marv direct to the label - not through some licensing deal with Motown.

Berry's book probably has the background to the deal but my impression is that UA were interested enough to sign Marv to a what, five year ?, contract. If they actually signed Eddie Holland direct it would probably have been the usual short term contract - a year. The same probably applies to Wyatt Sheppard.

This would probably explain Don Costa's involvement in some of Marv's records as Costa was, I think, one of the A&R heads for UA - he certainly did a lot of work for the label.

It is my understanding that the facts are as follows (I could be wrong):

1. Don Costa, the great arranger, had a brother. I think his name was John.

2. This John (Don's brother) had some sons: One was known as Guy. Another was John.

3. Guy took over my position as the top man running the studios at Motown. I left in April, 1972, and Guy watched over all that came after.

4. His brother John runs a custom shop that caters to studios. They build custom equipment like control panels, wiring, Etc. The place is called "WESCAM," located on Chandler Blvd. in North Hollywood, and I drove by it every night with a beer between my legs until I retired six weeks ago.

5. You can walk from WESCAM to the house in which Oliver Hardy (Laurel and Hardy) passed away in 1957.

One thing is for sure: It was not Don Costa's brother who was the Vice President of engineering at Motown. It was his brother's son. I just wish I was sure of the name of Don's brother!